Spertus Institute announces the newest cohort of its Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies program

Chicago-based Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning & Leadership provides customized training for professionals who work for Jewish organizations across North America.

Among the leadership programs that Spertus Institute offers is the Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies program, a prestigious graduate program that serves Jewish communal executives with 12+ years in the field. In the 18-month-long program, students enhance the competencies, creativity, and credentials they bring to organizations across the spectrum of Jewish life. It is our pleasure to announce the Jewish community leaders of the seventh North American cohort of the Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies program.

Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies—Cohort 7

• Adam Hirsh, Executive Director, Hillel at Kent State University, Cleveland, GA
• Ashley Flaumenhaft, PJ Library Coordinator, Early Childhood Consultant, Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
• Samantha Raizen Walsh, Director of Development, Denver Jewish Day School, Denver, CO
• Victoria Raggs, Executive Director, The Atlanta Jews of Color Council, Atlanta, GA
• Talia Tor, Senior Development Officer, Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, Edison, NJ
• Dr. Audra Kaplan, Chief Program Officer, Keshet, Chicago, IL
• Hillary Zaken, Interiem Assistant Dean of Multifaith Engagement, Elon University, Greensboro, NC
• Russell Gottschalk, VP for Campus Support Services, Hillels of Georgia, Atlanta, GA

Participants in this part-time program learn with fellow executives from across North America, taught by some of the leading names in the field. Through a unique blend of high-impact Jewish learning and cutting-edge professional skills, participants gain knowledge, skills, and tools to lead through current and emerging challenges, while earning a graduate degree from a leading institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The program includes personalized leadership assessments and professional coaching.

Alyssa Dickman, Director of Spertus Institute’s Center for Jewish Leadership, expressed her pride at the motivation of the incoming students. “Most haven’t been students in a formal sense in many years, yet they are enthusiastic to come together and share their ideas, goals, and the challenges they encounter in their careers. As a group, they bring a wealth of experiences from organizations across the Jewish nonprofit sector—and they are embracing the opportunity to learn from each other, as well as with each other.”

As this cohort begins the program, the application period is now open for the eighth cohort, which will begin in January 2024.

Because challenges abound for the leaders of today’s Jewish organizations, fellowships are available to cover up to 60% of costs for qualified applicants, allowing participants to build their leadership capacity at a time when new skills matter more than ever. Application fees are waived until September 1, 2023.

Those interested should visit spertus.edu/executive or contact Assistant Director for Recruitment Amie Barrish at abarrish@spertus.edu.

The Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies is a program of Spertus Institute's Center for Jewish Leadership, supported in part by a generous grant from the Crown Family.

Spertus Institute is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.